PAK vs ENG: 1st Test Review – England script a famous win in Multan
England achieved a remarkable victory by an innings and 47 runs despite Pakistan posting a strong first-innings total of 556. The visitors responded with a monumental 823/7 declared, their highest total in the 21st century. Harry Brook’s incredible 317 and Joe Root’s 262 set the tone, as the duo put up a 454-run partnership, the highest for England in Test cricket. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled, with six of them conceding over 100 runs, highlighting England’s dominance.
In Pakistan’s second innings, they could only muster 222 runs, falling short of forcing a second England innings. Aamer Jamal’s gritty half-century and Shaheen Afridi’s counter-attacking efforts gave some hope, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their sixth consecutive Test defeat. England’s bowlers, led by debutant Brydon Carse, sealed the victory on day five, with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah falling in quick succession. This win significantly boosted England’s World Test Championship aspirations, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the final.
The match was filled with records, as England became the first team to take a lead of over 200 runs after conceding over 550. Brook’s triple-century was the second-fastest in Test cricket history, and his achievement of scoring centuries in his first four Test matches in Pakistan placed him in elite company. Joe Root’s century moved him past several legends on the all-time run-scoring list, solidifying his place among cricket’s greatest players.
Top Performers of the match
1. Harry Brook was the standout performer for England, smashing a career-best 317 runs. His innings was the second-fastest triple century in Test history, and he became the first batter to score centuries in his first four Test matches in Pakistan. His performance not only anchored England’s massive total but also set numerous records, further establishing him as a rising star in world cricket.
2. Joe Root added to his illustrious career with 262 runs, becoming England’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket, surpassing Alastair Cook. His partnership with Brook (454 runs) was the highest for England in any Test, and he also became the sixth player in men’s cricket to score 35 centuries. Root’s consistency and mastery of Pakistan’s bowlers helped England take control of the game early.
3. Jack Leach played a pivotal role in England’s victory with his consistent left-arm spin. He took crucial wickets in both innings, finishing with match figures of 7/190. His ability to extract turn and bounce on the Multan pitch put Pakistan’s batters under immense pressure, particularly in their second innings. Leach’s disciplined bowling helped break key partnerships and ensured that England’s dominance extended beyond their batting, contributing significantly to their comprehensive win.
